Early autumn rains revive hopes for Morocco’s new farming season

Early autumn rains have brought renewed optimism to Moroccan farmers as preparations get underway for the new agricultural season, although producers remain dependent on further rainfall to begin planting in earnest.

The initial precipitation, while limited in several areas, has prompted farmers to prepare fields, secure seeds and fertilizers and ready irrigation infrastructure ahead of the main planting period in October and November.

In the Kiko area of Boulemane province in the Fes-Meknes region, farmer and professional representative Mouha Archoun said preparations began with the first rainfall.

Farmers are currently turning and preparing the soil and securing seeds and fertilizers, Archoun told Hespress. Plowing and planting are expected to begin in October and November, depending on the crops, including barley and other cereals.

Archoun said seeds were available in sufficient quantities through agricultural authorities and markets at prices he described as suitable for farmers’ needs. He attributed the availability in part to a strong cereal harvest during the previous agricultural season.

He said farmers had reacted positively to the first rainfall but were still waiting for lower temperatures and more sustained precipitation before beginning planting, particularly in the Fes-Meknes region.

“All the necessary supplies are available,” Archoun said, including equipment for direct seeding, expressing hope for a productive agricultural season if rainfall continues.

In the Souss-Massa region, where farming relies heavily on irrigation, recent rainfall is also being viewed as important for replenishing groundwater reserves.

Mhamad Azzawi, director of the Souss-Massa Chamber of Agriculture, said the region relies on a combination of surface water from dams, groundwater and seawater desalination, particularly for vegetables, early-season crops, greenhouse farming, citrus and other fruit trees.

Rainfall plays a key role in replenishing groundwater reserves and can allow farmers to resume irrigation in some water basins, Azzawi told Hespress.

He said regional agricultural authorities had taken administrative and field measures to prepare for the new season, including repairing irrigation channels and equipping agricultural water infrastructure.

Azzawi said the recent rains had been limited and lasted only one or two days, but agricultural advisory services and the regional agricultural investment office were working with farmers to provide guidance and support.

For farmers across Morocco, preparations are now underway, but the outlook for the season will depend heavily on rainfall in the weeks and months ahead.